Leveraging more than 25 years of experience, Michael Engle handles complex criminal cases, internal investigations and compliance matters on behalf of individuals, public officials and professionals, public and private companies of all sizes, nonprofits and other organizations in federal and state courts throughout the United States. He is co-chair of the firm’s white collar defense, investigations and compliance practice. Michael also handles a variety of civil litigation matters, particularly the defense of False Claims Act (FCA) or qui tam actions, civil fraud, civil RICO, as well as business/commercial disputes. He is a fellow of the esteemed American College of Trial Lawyers and previously co-chaired the firm’s litigation practice.
Michael regularly represents clients in government inquiries involving antitrust laws, criminal/civil tax matters and criminal/civil securities cases. He provides counsel in connection with grand jury subpoenas and civil investigative demands (CIDs). In addition, Michael routinely conducts internal investigations into a variety of matters for corporate clients.
While he represents clients across a wide variety of industries, Michael is well versed in environmental and healthcare litigation matters, as well as government enforcement actions for clients in the financial services industry.
Michael’s experience extends to matters within the higher education sector, including military academies, where he represents students, fraternal members and organizations in connection with student conduct violation hearings, Title IX matters and grand jury investigations. Michael also represents individuals charged with criminal offenses in high-profile cases involving allegations of hazing, and counsels both individuals and entities with respect to the civil and criminal liabilities associated with hazing conduct.
Actively involved in multiple industry organizations, Michael is a frequent speaker on the latest developments regarding white collar defense, criminal litigation and FCA litigation, among other topics.
Featured Representative Matters
Criminal Matters
Secured the dismissal of an indictment in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania charging a prominent Michigan businessperson with wire fraud and conspiracy, which resulted in the matter being resolved in favor of a corporate guilty plea for probation and payment of restitution by an entity that was no longer actively in business.
In the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, represented the only defendant who was found not guilty of conspiracy to defraud the United States in an amount exceeding $10 million in which the IRS prosecuted individuals associated with the Commonwealth Trust Co. for allegedly marketing “abusive trust” tax shelters (United States v. Crim).
Obtained a declination of criminal prosecution in an insider trading investigation and successfully negotiated a favorable civil settlement with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on behalf of a client located in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.
Obtained a declination of prosecution from the U.S. Department of Justice on behalf of a prominent medical doctor practicing in the Philadelphia region accused of billing fraud.
Secured a declination of criminal prosecution in a healthcare-related fraud matter and negotiated a consent decree with the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General, which resolved numerous alleged violations of the Unfair Trade Practices and Consumer Protection Law without any admission of liability by the client.
Obtained a dismissal in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania of all charges relating to the alleged improper filling of two out-of-date propane cylinders, in violation of U.S. Department of Transportation hazardous materials regulations, that resulted in a deadly explosion on a food truck in Philadelphia. The client pleaded guilty to two counts of regulatory violations involving the failure to properly train and document the training of two employees at a U-Haul facility he managed in 2014. Despite the government’s efforts to obtain a period of incarceration, the defendant was sentenced to two years of probation, a small fine, and community service (United States v. M.R.).
Secured an acquittal in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania after a 10-and-a-half-week jury trial in which the defendant was charged with kidnapping and Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act conspiracy in connection with the Almighty Latin King and Queen Nation racketeering case (United States v. Resto).
Defended an individual in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania who was the only defendant acquitted at trial of all charges brought in a 22-defendant, 194-count federal indictment involving drug and firearms charges relating to the “Alton Coles drug conspiracy” (United States v. Walker).
Obtained a declination of prosecution on various alleged violations of the Uniform Code of Military Justice on behalf of a U.S. Navy midshipman who was able to avoid court-martial. Resolved the case with a voluntary resignation via a student conduct process allowing the client to receive a general discharge under honorable conditions from the Navy.
Obtained two years of probation for a client in the first Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) case in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. The client was indicted on conspiracy, FCPA violations, and money laundering and Travel Act violations, and faced a Federal Sentencing Guideline range of 70-87 months of incarceration (United States v. Nexus Technologies).
Civil Matters
Negotiated a no-admission-of-liability settlement on behalf of a pharmaceutical company in connection with a civil FCA matter investigated by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. The case originated from a qui tam complaint where the government initially sought damages well in excess of $400 million. The case was resolved for approximately 4% of the initial damages assessment and a corporate integrity agreement was reached with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General, that avoided any debarment or exclusion sanctions.
Effectuated a favorable pre-lawsuit settlement with no admission of liability in a federal FCA matter on behalf of a cardiologist in the Philadelphia region.
Provided defense of and non-trial resolution for a medical professional in response to a CID issued in connection with a federal civil FCA investigation.
Secured reversal in the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania of the forfeiture of a judge’s state pension by the State Employees’ Retirement System (SERS). After the judge pleaded guilty to two charges of violating 18 U.S.C. Section 1001 by lying to federal investigators, SERS informed him that by doing so, he forfeited his pension under the Public Employee Pension Forfeiture Act (Act 140) and that the violation of the federal statute was “substantially the same” as violating 18 Pa.C.S. Section 4906. The Pennsylvania Supreme Court ruled unanimously that the statutes were not identical, overturning the Pennsylvania Commonwealth Court’s ruling and precedent set in Merlino v. Philadelphia Board of Pensions and Retirement (O'Neill v. State Employees' Retirement System, 280 A.3d 873 (Pa. 2022)).
Successfully appealed to the Pennsylvania Commonwealth Court a judgment in favor of the City of Philadelphia in a civil tax litigation matter. The appeals court reversed the judgment, which was in the amount of $707,000 (City of Philadelphia v. Rocha, published opinion at 935 A.2d 586 (Pa. Cmwlth. 2007)).
Community Impact
Co-chair of the pro bono committee, Michael leads efforts in identifying opportunities across Stradley Ronon’s nine locations in which the firm’s lawyers can make a substantial impact on underrepresented populations. He also forges and maintains the firm’s partnerships with pro bono legal organizations that share a commitment to ensuring equitable access to representation. Notably, he led the Stradley Ronon team that helped secure the release of a wrongfully convicted client who spent four decades in prison.
Memberships
Fellow, American Board of Criminal Lawyers
Fellow and Vice Chair of the Federal Criminal Procedure Committee, American College of Trial Lawyers
Co-Chair of the White Collar Practice Committee (2012-present) and Former President (2009-11), Pennsylvania Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
Co-Chair, Stradley Ronon Pro Bono Committee
Member, Trial Law Institute, Litigation Counsel of America
Barrister, Order of Justitia, Litigation Counsel of America
Recognitions
Chambers USA (Pennsylvania: Litigation: White-Collar Crime & Government Investigations) (2022-26)
The Legal 500 US Elite (Philadelphia: White Collar) (2026)
Fellow, Litigation Counsel of America
Pennsylvania Super Lawyers (Criminal Defense: White Collar) (2011-26)
Alan Jay Josel Advocacy Award, Pennsylvania Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (2025)
The Best Lawyers in America (Lawyer of the Year: Philadelphia: Criminal Defense - General Practice) (2026)
The Best Lawyers in America (Philadelphia: Criminal Defense: General Practice; Criminal Defense: White-Collar; Healthcare Law) (2010-26)
The Charles P. Gelso President’s Award, Pennsylvania Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (2017)
Martindale-Hubbell AV Preeminent rating
Pennsylvania Super Lawyers (Top 100 Pennsylvania and Top 100 Philadelphia)
New York Super Lawyers
Featured Speaking Engagements
Moderator and Presenter, “Crypto Enforcement Unlimited – Analyzing the Wide Variety of Current Prosecutions & Regulatory Enforcement Proceedings Targeting the Crypto Industry,” Pennsylvania Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (PACDL) White Collar Practice Seminar
Presenter, “Identification and Litigation of Brady Issues in PA and Federal Courts,” PACDL
Presenter, “Best Practices for Effective Federal Criminal Sentencing Advocacy,” Philadelphia Bar Association’s 2020 Federal Bench Bar Conference
Presenter, “Avoiding Pitfalls and Implementing Best Practices: The Ethics of Dealing with Government and Internal Investigations,” Association of Corporate Counsel Greater Philadelphia In-House Conference
Presenter, “Hazing Cases: Criminal and Civil Liability Issues for Individuals and Institutions,” PACDL
Moderator, “Initial Coin Offerings,” American Bar Association’s Fifth Annual Blockchain, Digital Currency and ICO National Institute
Moderator, “Cryptocurrencies & ICOs: Navigating the Regulatory Landscape and Responding to Government Investigations,” PACDL White Collar Practice Seminar
Speaker, “Hazing: Understanding the Civil and Criminal Liability Issues for Individuals and Institutions,” Professional Fraternity Association’s National Conference
Panelist, “The Ethics of Interviewing Witnesses: There’s a Rule for That!” Pennsylvania Bar Institute (PBI) CLE Ethics Hour
Presenter, “Responding to Grand Jury Subpoenas: The Lawyer Is Not a Potted Plant” and “The Art of Sentencing Advocacy: Litigation for Mitigation in State and Federal Courts,” PACDL Annual Conference
Presenter, “Employment Law and Whistleblowers: Navigating Your Client to a Safe Harbor,” PACDL White Collar Practice Seminar; Corporate Criminal Investigations
Speaker, “Secrets of the Grand Jury,” Pennsylvania Conference of State Trial Judges
Presenter, “The Nuts & Bolts of Federal Sentencing,” PBI Criminal Law Symposium
Speaker, “Litigation Skills Training Sessions,” PACDL Annual Meeting
